A winner receives her prizes from Riot as (from right) Serian District Council deputy chairman Dr Simon Sindang Bada and Achen look on.
SERIAN: Serian MP Datuk Seri Richard Riot Jaem has assured that it is not independence that Sarawak is after but devolution of power as sought by Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem in an ongoing negotiation with Putrajaya.
Echoing Adenan’s often-repeated reminders to Sarawakians, the Human Resource Minister in the federal cabinet said Sarawak would remain an integral part of Malaysia and would never seek to be an independent nation.
In particular, he advised the Bidayuh community against being drawn into the polemics of a small group of people who portrayed themselves as capable of doing more than what the state government was doing in its negotiation with Putrajaya on the devolution of power.
He said Sarawakians must give Adenan their unequivocal support in his effort for the return of powers critical to the wellbeing of Sarawak as an equal partner in the formation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963.
He said it was on the understanding that Sarawak was not seeking to break away from Malaysia that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was amenable to the idea of devolution of power.
“The Prime Minister agrees that some of the powers of the state that were eroded over the years deserve to be brought to the negotiation table.
“This is a positive development, but Sarawakians must be prepared for the long haul because like their gradual erosion, having them returned will also take time,” Riot told a crowd of about 1,000 who had come for the closing ceremony of the Batang Sadong/Sungai Kayan Serian Rafting Challenge 2016 in Tebakang near here on Saturday evening.
Riot, who is Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) deputy president, was obviously referring to press reports quoting Adenan as saying there had been some progress in the negotiations for further devolution of powers with the federal government.
Adenan had also said recently that there will be no secession from Malaysia, and that Sarawak will remain in the federation but to fight for more rights and privileges for Sarawak within the constitution, reports and recommendations of the Inter Governmental Committee and Cobbold Commission, and Malaysia Agreement.
Meanwhile, commenting on the Serian Rafting Challenge, Riot hoped the event would be made a yearly affair without fail with bigger participation.
He noted with pride how the rafting challenge had continued to attract growing interest since its debut in 2010.
“I am proud to be part of this event from day one of its birth in 2010, when there were just over 20 participants.
“Today, in its sixth edition and drawing 56 competitors, I say this challenge has every chance to grow bigger,” he said as he announced a grant of RM30,000 for the organisers to begin preparing for next year’s edition.
Earlier, organising chairman, acting Serian district officer Raymond Achen, said the Serian MP had been instrumental in the continuing success of the rafting challenge.
He said such success was crucial to the continued relevance of Tebakang bazaar, a thriving trading and administrative centre before the roads neutralised its once strategic riverine command.
“This rafting challenge is helping to bring back some of Tebakang bazaar’s former glory,” Achen said, as he pointed to the many stalls that lined up the half a kilometre road fronting the bazaar, selling a wide variety of products that included food and drinks, farm produce and handicraft.
“With the help of our elected representatives and the cooperation of businesses and the people, it is my hope that many other activities will be held in this town to help boost the local economy,” Achen added.